A pilot study on the rate of hemoglobinopathies in hyperbilirubinemic term neonates at Nemazee Hospital Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a common disorder and if untreated is potentially neurotoxic. Methods: In order to investigate the correlation between hyperbilirubinemia and hemoglobinopathies, in a prospective study we studied a total 100 full term neonates at Nemazi Hospital with total bilirubin greater than 15 mg/dl and direct bilirubin less than 1.5mg/dl. Other known causes of hyperbilirubinemia such as G6PD deficiency and blood group incompatibility, septicemia and common metabolic disorders were excluded and then hemoglobin electrophoresis was done. Results: In this study we found two infants with abnormal HbD (2%). None of them had alpha thalassemia or sickle cell anemia. Conclusion: Hemoglobinopathies can be considered as one of the causes of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Further studies are recommended on a larger scale in the form of multi center study.

Keywords

• Hyperbilirubinemia
• Hemoglobinopathy